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Don Bye

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Last week we selected/elected our government for at least the next two years with some parts for three, four or six years. This week we honor, celebrate and commemorate the service of our country's veterans. I hope we respond and honor our veterans better this week than we exercised our rights to vote last week. We remember when we had to be over 21 to vote. Young people, and a lot of us on their behalf, fought long and hard to expand the privilege to 18.

First off, as to the most recent column of my conservative compatriot, the Abler one, let me say, "Ditto!" It was refreshing to read his column and agree with almost all of it. Vote on or before Nov. 4. Now, are we as a society falling into our sheeplike tendencies and buying into the huge election-related scam(s) dangling all around us? Again, in this election, we have a great luxury that not many nations have. We have free choices as to party and candidate preferences.

Negative campaigning is not new. Smear type campaigning apparently existed back in colonial times. Earliest newspaper headlines proclaimed scandal that didn't exist, or spread unfounded rumors disparaging office holders and office seekers of the time. But the overwhelming amount of negative political advertising has been ever increasing these past and current election periods. Is it ever going to come to an end, or at least lesser level? Have we reached a saturation point?

Negative election campaigning seems to be dominating our airwaves (and other avenues of transmission) as we close in on Election Day. Maybe it has to get worse before it gets better. Again, this election year we are being flooded with often misleading, even false advertising against good people who are running and offering to serve in elected office. Two prime examples are occurring in our Congressional races here in northern Minnesota.

The perfect politician does not exist. There aren't any. Too many people, saturated with superficial media information, decide and vote for or against a political candidate based only on their perception of some single position that the candidate is for or against. People in political office face countless decisions and are frequently damned if they do, and damned if they don't. No matter what their makeup, background or beliefs, they can't please all of the people all of the time, nor some of the people or even any single person all of the time. Let us get used to that simple fact.

It was gratifying to see the heavy turnout at the Labor Day picnic in Baxter on Monday. It was really good to see a large, diverse and happy crowd of all ages gathered at a group event. Like the State Fair, it was a welcome, positive exception to the downward trend in organized event attendance.

This column may not interest many of our readers. I say that because only a small fraction of Minnesota's eligible voters took the very minimal time and trouble to exercise their right and opportunity to vote in the Tuesday, Aug. 12, primary election. The primary election result was great support for our existing party endorsement system.

Next Tuesday is primary election day in Minnesota. We can be thankful that we live in a state and nation where we are free to vote as we choose without being in danger or subject to repercussion. Our free voting process is just one of the many blessings we can enjoy living in America. Some folks wanted to stay with our traditional September primary. Some wanted to change to June. So we ended up with August. Nevertheless, Tuesday, Aug. 12, is the day that the two major parties select their choices to go on to the general and final election on Nov. 4.

As a believer in our two-party system that has served this nation well, I hate to see what is happening to both the Republican Party and our DFL in Minnesota this summer. Our party endorsement systems are far from perfect, but both provide a process for interested citizens who take the time and trouble to actively participate not only to have impact, but also the opportunity to be viable candidates for office.

This week, we in Minnesota will be commemorating the most memorable life of former Congressman James Oberstar, who unexpectedly departed from this world the first week in May. He was known as Jim to the many who were fortunate enough to enjoy repeated communication. He remains with us as we look around the 8th District.